Cord seal for swimming pool and spa light niches

ABSTRACT

A cord seal for use in an underwater niche including a main seal and a seal cap. The main seal includes a one-piece member with passages that are accessible from one side of the main seal and an opposite side of the main seal. The main seal includes at least a first split. The seal cap is placed in physical contact with the opposite side of the main seal. The first split spans from the one side of the main seal to the opposite side and the first split begins at an edge of one of the passages and ends at an outer circumferential edge of the main seal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/730,636,filed Oct. 27, 2005, is hereby claimed and the disclosure incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pool and spa underwater light niche.More specifically, the present invention relates to a cord seal for anunderwater light to prevent water from entering the electrical conduit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Underwater lighting has generally been employed in pools, spas and thelike to enhance the attractiveness and safety of the water. Theunderwater light is typically installed in either a wet or dry nichelocated in the pool wall. In wet niche applications, where water residesinside the niche, it is desirable to prevent water from entering theelectrical conduit, which carries the power cord and grounding cord forthe light. If the conduit is not sealed off from the pool water,chemically active water resides in the conduit, thus, creating a risk ofcorrosion. Further, any damage to the underground conduit will cause apool leak that is difficult to locate. The threat of a pool leak thatcannot be located causes many builders to specify a more costly metalconduit rather than the plastic conduit. One solution to prevent waterfrom entering the electrical conduit is to inject a silicone sealantinto the conduit and around the power and ground cord. The siliconesealant, however, may or may not provide an adequate seal. Further, theinjection of the silicone sealant makes it difficult to replace thelight because the silicone glues the power and ground cords into theconduit.

Thus, what is desired is a seal that overcomes that solves the problemsdiscussed above, including making it easier to replace a light andaccommodating a power and a ground cord of different dimensions. Thepresent invention overcomes these problems by providing a deformableseal having a split design. The split design allows the seal to beinstalled after the power and ground cords are installed. Further, thepresent invention can accommodate two cords of different diameters. Thepresent invention can be installed before a pool is filled with water.Passage of water into the conduit will be prevented by the presentinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cord seal for use in an underwater niche comprises a seal cap and amain seal having a front side and a rear side and the main seal furtherincludes a plurality of passages that are accessible from the front sideand the rear side. The main seal also includes at least one split wherethe main seal is deformable to provide a water-tight seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail inthis specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings thatform a part of the specification.

FIG. 1A is a partial side view of an underwater niche showing thepresent invention installed with one wire.

FIG. 1B is a partial side view of an underwater niche showing thepresent invention installed with two wires.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of the present invention shown inopposite directions.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are an assembled perspective view of the presentinvention with a cylindrical seal exploded and inserted respectively.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are front and rear views respectively of a main seal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a cord seal device that contains a split sealdevice. The present invention can also contain additional supportingpieces to aid in forming the seal. The support pieces may be placedabove and below the main seal. Each of these supporting pieces can bemade in halves. The support pieces are attached to a main seal by havinga plurality of projections that connect with apertures and cavities inthe main seal. The assembly can then be pried open along at least onesplit in the main seal for installation and removal of either a lampcord and a grounding or bonding wire. The lamp cord and the groundingwire fit into passages in the main seal. The split in the main sealallows easier assembly of the underwater light assembly and allows forthe elimination of the use of any sealant. The main seal acts as aspring by deforming in response to a force applied to the cord seal,such as by a seal cap. The seal cap forces the material of the mainseal, such as rubber, to fill the gaps around the lamp cord and thegrounding wire and also fills any other small gaps between the main sealin a niche. The deformation of the main seal results in a water-tightseal around the lamp cord passage and a grounding wire passage so thatthe split does not affect the seal of the device.

It is to be appreciated that the cord seal 20 in one embodiment maycontain only a seal cap 30 and a main seal 22 as long as the seal cap 30is tightened by a plurality of screws. In another embodiment, the sealcap 30 tightens by rotating on a thread and the cord seal 20 may containat least one additional support pieces. In another alternativeembodiment, the additional support pieces may be comprised of a frontseal support 26 and/or a rear seal support 28 to allow free rotation ofthe seal cap 30 without tearing the soft rubber seal and the supportpieces are composed of a harder material than the main seal. Anembodiment containing both the front seal support 26 and the rear sealsupport 28 is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B. In theembodiment where the seal cap 30 has threads, these threads mate withthe threads of the hub 12, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A and 1B show the differentinstallation configurations of a cord seal 20 in accordance with thepresent invention. For example, FIG. 1A shows a single wire installationand FIG. 1B shows a two-wire installation. More specifically, FIG. 1Ashows a partial cross-sectional side view of an underwater niche 10showing the cord seal 20 comprising a main seal 22, front seal support26, a rear seal support 28, and a seal cap 30. The cord seal 20 isinstalled in a hub 12 with a lamp cord 14 and a cylindrical seal 24.FIG. 1B shows the same underwater niche 10 with the cord seal 20installed in the hub 12 with the lamp cord 14 and a grounding wire 16instead of a cylindrical seal 24.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show exploded views of the cord seal 20. In thisembodiment, the cord seal 20 includes a main seal 22, a cylindrical seal24, a front seal support 26, a rear seal support 28, and a seal cap 30.The cylindrical seal 24 that is used in place of the grounding wire 16in single wire applications may include a seal body 50 and a stopportion 52 located at each end of the seal body 50. Each stop portion 52has a diameter larger than the seal body 50. When the cylindrical seal24 is installed, one stop portion 52 contacts a front side of the frontseal support 26 and the other stop portion 52 contacts a back side ofthe rear seal support 28. Therefore, when installed, the stop portion 52prevents the cylindrical seal 24 from sliding and becoming dislodgedfrom the main seal 22. It is to be appreciated that additionalsupporting pieces may be included with the cord seal 20 and that theseal body 50 would have a larger length to accommodate the additionalstructures. One stop portion 52 would contact a front side of asupporting piece that is the greatest distance from the seal cap 30 andthe other stop portion would contact a back side of a supporting piecethat is closest to the seal cap 30.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the front seal support 26 iscomprised of two halves, a front left half 54 and a front right half 56.Each half 54, 56 includes two semi-circles 58, 60. The first semi-circle58 has approximately the same radius as a cord receiving passage 36located on the main seal 22 and the second semi-circle 60 hasapproximately the same radius as a wire receiving passage 38 on the mainseal 22. When the cord seal 20 is installed in the underwater niche 10,the first semi-circle 58 from each half 54, 56 forms an aperture thathas the same diametric center as the cord receiving passage 36 toreceive the lamp cord 14. The second semi-circle 60 from each half 54,56 forms a circumference that has the same diametric center as the wirereceiving passage 38 thereby receiving either the cylindrical seal 24 orthe grounding wire 16. It is to be appreciated that the exploded viewspresented in FIGS. 2A and 2B may include a grounding wire 16 instead ofa cylindrical seal 24.

A plurality of fastening projections 62 extend substantiallyperpendicular from a rear side 64 of each half 54, 56 of the front sealsupport 26. When the cord seal 20 is installed in the underwater niche10 each fastening projection 62 penetrates one of a plurality offastening apertures 40 on the main seal 22 thereby securing the frontseal support 26 to the main seal 22. The location of the fasteningapertures 40 in one embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and will bedescribed more specifically further below.

The rear seal support 28 is also comprised of two halves in thisembodiment, a rear left half 66 and a rear right half 68. Each half 66,68 includes a flange portion 69 that has a radius slightly larger thaneach half 66, 68. This flange portion 69 provides a stop against aninner portion of the hub 12 when the cord seal 10 is installed so as toprevent over tightening. Each half 66, 68 further includes twosemi-circles 70, 72. The first semi-circle 70 has approximately the sameradius as the cord receiving passage 36 and the second semi-circle 72has approximately the same radius as the wire receiving passage 38 onthe main seal 22. When the cord seal 20 is installed in the underwaterniche 10 the first semi-circle 70 from each half 66, 68 forms a passagethat has the same circumference as the cord receiving passage 36 therebyreceiving the lamp cord 14. The second semi-circle 72 from each half 66,68 forms a passage that has the same circumference as the wire receivingpassage 38 thereby receiving either the cylindrical seal 24 or thegrounding wire 16. At least one fastening stub 74 extends substantiallyperpendicular from a front side 76 of each half 66, 68. When the cordseal 20 is installed the fastening stubs 74 penetrate a plurality ofcavities 48 on the main seal 22 to thereby secure the rear seal support28 to the main seal 22. The location of the cavities 48 in oneembodiment is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B and will be described morespecifically further below. Each half 66, 68 further includes analignment aperture 78. The alignment apertures 78 have the samediametric center as the fastening apertures 40. Thus, when the cord seal20 is installed, the fastening projections 62 from the front sealsupport 26 penetrate the alignment apertures 78 to thereby align therear seal support halves 66, 68 to the main seal 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, an embodiment of a fully assembled cordseal is shown using a cylindrical seal 24. The fastening projections 62extend through the main seal 22 and extend into and out of the rear sealsupport. The portion extending out the back of the rear seal support 28allows the lamp cord 14 to be easily installed and removed with anextraction tool such as pliers. The user can spread apart the main seal22 by using an extraction tool to grasp the fastening projections 62.Providing a front seal support 26 with two halves 54, 56 and a rear sealsupport 28 with two halves 66, 68 allows for the support pieces to alsospread apart. Furthermore, the fastening projections 62 aid in holdingthe cord seal together as one structure.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the main seal 22 can be made of any typeof sealing material known in the art such as rubber. In the embodimentshown, the main seal 22 is made from a deformable rubber and morespecifically from EPDM. The main seal 22 is circular in shape and has anoverall diameter and thickness to fit a standard sized hub 12 for anunderwater niche 10 in a pool, spa, and the like. The main seal 22 has afront 32 and a rear 34 side and includes a plurality of passages 36, 38and a plurality of apertures 40 which are accessible from the front side32 and the rear side 34. The multiple passages include a cord receivingpassage 36 and a wire receiving passage 38. The multiple aperturesinclude at least two fastening apertures 40. The main seal 22 furtherincludes a plurality of cavities 48 located on the rear side 34, as seenin FIG. 4B. The multiple cavities 48 receive a plurality of fasteningstubs 74 extending from the rear seal support 28. The cord receivingpassage 36 receives the lamp cord 14 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

The main seal 22 is a one piece design. In order for the cord receivingpassage 36 to receive the lamp cord 14, the main seal 22 includes afirst split 42. The first split 42 is accessible from the front side 32and the rear side 34 of the main seal 22 and from the cord receivingpassage 36 to the outer circumferential edge of the main seal 22. Thus,the lamp cord 14 is inserted into the cord receiving passage 36 bysimply spreading the main seal 22 at the location of the first split 42.When the cord seal 20 is installed, the tightening of the seal cap 30causes the main seal to deform thereby causing both sides of the firstsplit 42 to tightly compress against each other, thus, forming a seal.The tightening of the seal cap 30 deforms the rubber to fill the gaparound the wires and any other small gaps between the rubber and cavitywalls or other components. Therefore, even though the cord seal 20 has asplit design the deformity of the main seal 22 prevents water fromflowing into the electrical conduit through the first split 42.

The wire receiving passage 38 receives a cylindrical object, and canhave one of two functions depending on the application. The wirereceiving passage 38 receives the cylindrical seal 24 in a single wireapplication as shown in FIG. 1A and receives the grounding wire 16 in atwo-wire application as shown in FIG. 1B. In order for the wirereceiving passage 38 to receive either the cylindrical seal 24 or thegrounding wire 16, the main seal 22 includes a second split 44diametrically opposite from the first split 42. The second split 44 isaccessible from the front side 32 and the rear side 34 of the main seal22 and from the wire receiving passage 38 to the outer circumferentialedge of the main seal 22. Thus, the cylindrical seal 24 or the groundingwire 16 is inserted into the wire receiving passage 38 by simplyspreading the main seal 22 at the location of the second split 44. Intypical applications, the grounding wire 16 is a #8 bonding wire. Whenthe cord seal 20 is installed, the tightening of the seal cap 30 causesthe main seal 22 to deform thereby causing both sides of the secondsplit 44 to tightly compress against each other, thus, forming a seal.Therefore, even though the cord seal 20 has a split design the deformityof the main seal 22 prevents water from flowing into the electricalconduit through the second split 44.

Regarding the two fastening apertures 40, the apertures are equal indiameter and are located on opposite sides of an axis 46 formed by thefirst 42 and second 44 splits. Each fastening aperture 40 receives afastening projection 62 extending from the front seal support 26, asseen in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The number of fastening apertures 40 can be anynumber as long as there is at least one fastening aperture 40 on eachside of the axis 46. In the embodiment shown, the number of fasteningapertures 40 is four.

As previously mentioned, the main seal 22 includes multiple cavities 48located on the rear side 34 of the main seal 22. Each cavity 48 receivesa fastening stub 74 extending from the rear seal support 28, as seen inFIGS. 2A and 2B. The number of cavities 48 can be any number as long asthere is at least one cavity 48 on each side of the axis 46. In theembodiment shown, the number of cavities 48 is four, two on either sideof the axis 46.

The different embodiments of the described cord seal can be used in aniche assembly. A niche in a wall can house a lighting structure, wherethe lighting structure is connected by an electrical conduit to a powersource located on the exterior of the niche. The main seal is connectedbetween the lighting structure and the electrical conduit to preventwater from entering the electrical conduit and the exterior of theniche. The seal cap is placed in physical contact with one side of themain seal. A cord is then routed through the exterior of the niche inthe electrical conduit, through the main seal, and into the interior ofthe niche wherein the cord is routed through the main seal by spreadingapart the main seal at the location of a first split in the main seal.The main seal is deformable in response to the physical contact of theseal to provide a water-tight seal.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, to install the cord seal 20, the lamp cord14 and the grounding wire 16 will be routed into the inside of the niche10 through the seal cap 30 and into the conduit. The required length ofthe lamp cord 14 is pulled into the niche 10. The grounding wire 16 ispulled through the niche 10 with enough slack to connect to a bondinglug (not shown). The main seal 22 is grasped. The main seal 22 should bespread apart at the location of the first split 42 to allow for passageof the lamp cord 14 at the cord receiving passage 36. The main seal 22should be spread apart at the location of the second split 44 to allowfor passage of the grounding wire 16 at the wire receiving passage 38.In an alternative embodiment, the main seal 22 can be spread apart bythe aid of pulling apart the fastening projections 62 from the frontseal support 26. The orientation of the main seal, in this embodiment,is such that if a front seal support 26 is used, the fasteningprojections 62 from the front seal support 26 will be oriented towardsthe seal cap 30. Once the user ensures that the sealing surface is cleanand clear of any debris and the lamp cord and the other cylindricalobject is inserted, the cord seal 20 should be slid down the wires andinserted into the threaded hub 12 in the niche 10. The cord seal 20should be inserted into the niche 10 until it cannot travel any farther.The seal cap 30 should then be partially connected to the cord seal 20.For example, the seal cap 30 can be turned clockwise two or three turnsto facilitate a partial connection. The end of the grounding wire 16extending out of the cord seal 20 should be connected to a lug (notshown) inside the niche 10. A screw is used to secure the grounding wire16 to the lug, but the user must ensure that the wire has sufficientslack to allow for removal of the seal cap 30 and the cord seal 20 inthe future. Due to the seal cap 30 only being partially connected, thelength of the lamp cord 14 and the grounding wire 16 should still beadjustable by gently tugging on either wire. The connection between thegrounding wire and the lug should be sealed, such as by the use of a 3MScotchcast 2135 sealant. After the user has determined the desiredlength of the lamp cord and the grounding wire, the seal cap 30 shouldbe connected fully, or in one embodiment turned clockwise as much aspossible. The turning of the seal cap 30 will secure and lock the cordseal 20, and the lengths of the lamp cord and the grounding wire will nolonger be adjustable. The user can then tug on the lamp cord and thegrounding wire to ensure that they do not move. The cord seal 20 willform a water-tight seal so that water cannot enter the conduit frominside of the niche.

Alternatively, if a grounding wire 16 is not being used, the cylindricalseal 24 should be inserted into the wire receiving passage 38.Furthermore, there will be no steps for installing that involve thegrounding lug.

To remove the cord seal 20 and replace it, the light assembly should beremoved from the niche 10 and the wire that is connected to the existinglight, the lamp cord 14, should be cut. The seal cap 30 should beunscrewed form the hub 12 in the niche. The lamp cord 14 should then bepulled slightly to loosen the cord seal 20 from the threaded hub 12.Using pliers or another extraction tool, each of the fasteningprojections 62 should be gently pulled to spread apart the main seal 22to provide access for removing the lamp cord 14. The grounding wire 16and the lamp cord 14 should then be removed from the main seal 22. Themain seal 22 should then be removed from any supporting pieces andremoved from the niche 10. The grounding wire should still be connectedto the lug inside the niche. Alternatively, a cylindrical seal 24 wouldonly need to be removed from the main seal 22, as opposed to a groundingwire 16.

To begin replacing the cord seal 20, a new lamp cord 14 should beinserted through the seal cap 30. The new main seal 22 should beattached to any supporting pieces and should be spread apart at thefirst split 42 for insertion of the lamp cord 14. The second split 44 ofthe main seal 22 should be spread apart for insertion of the groundingwire 16 or the cylindrical seal 24. Once the user ensures that thesealing surface is clean and clear of any debris, the cord seal 20should be slid down the wires and inserted into the threaded hub 12 inthe niche 10. The cord seal 20 should be inserted into the niche 10until it cannot travel any farther. The seal cap 30 should then bepartially connected to the cord seal 20. For example, the seal cap 30can be turned clockwise two or three turns to facilitate a partialconnection. The length of the lamp cord 14 should still be adjustable bygently tugging on the lamp cord 14. After the user has determined thedesired length of the lamp cord 14, the seal cap 30 should be connectedfully, or in one embodiment turned clockwise as much as possible. Theturning of the seal cap 30 will secure and lock the cord seal 20, andthe length of the lamp cord will no longer be adjustable. The user canthen tug on the lamp cord 14 to ensure that it does not move. Thegrounding wire 16 should still be connected to a lug (not shown) insidethe niche 10. The cord seal 20 will form a water-tight seal so thatwater cannot enter the conduit from inside the niche.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described andillustrated, it is to be understood that these embodiments are providedby way of example only and that the invention is not to be construed asbeing limited thereto.

1. A cord seal for use in an underwater niche comprising: a main sealthat includes a plurality of passages that are accessible from one sideof the main seal and an opposite side of the main seal; wherein the mainseal includes a first split and a second split; a seal cap placed inphysical contact with the opposite side of the main seal; and whereinthe main seal is deformable in response to the physical contact of theseal cap to provide a water-tight seal; wherein the first split spansfrom the one side of the main seal to the opposite side of the main sealand the first split begins at an edge of one of the plurality ofpassages and ends at an outer circumferential edge of the main seal;wherein the second split spans from the one side of the main seal to theopposite side of the main seal and the second split begins at an edge ofanother one of the plurality of passages and ends at a second outercircumferential edge of the main seal; and a cylindrical seal insertedinto one of the plurality of passages; wherein the cylindrical sealcomprises a seal body and a stop portion located at each end of the sealbody; wherein the stop portion has a larger diameter than the seal body.2. A cord seal for use in an underwater niche according to claim 1,wherein: the stop portion on one end of the seal body contacts one sideof the front seal support and the other stop portion on the other end ofthe seal body contacts one side of the rear seal support.
 3. A cord sealfor use in an underwater niche according to claim 1, further comprisinga grounding wire inserted into one of the plurality of passages.
 4. Acord seal for use in an underwater niche according to claim 1, furthercomprises one support piece placed above or below the main seal.
 5. Acord seal for use in an underwater niche according to claim 1, whereinthe main seal is circular in shape and has an overall diameter andthickness to fit a standard sized hub for an underwater niche in a pool.6. A cord seal for use in an underwater niche according to claim 1,wherein the main seal is made from a deformable rubber.
 7. A cord sealfor use in an underwater niche comprising: a main seal that includes aplurality of passages that are accessible from one side of the main sealand an opposite side of the main seal; wherein the main seal includesone split; a seal cap placed in physical contact with the opposite sideof the main seal; wherein the main seal is deformable in response to thephysical contact of the seal cap to provide a water-tight seal; and onesupport piece placed above or below the main seal; wherein the one splitspans from the one side of the main seal to the opposite side of themain seal and the one split begins at an edge of one of the plurality ofpassages and ends at an outer circumferential edge of the main seal;wherein the main seal further comprises a second split that spans fromthe one side of the main seal to the opposite side of the main seal andthe second split begins at an edge of another one of the plurality ofpassages and ends at an outer circumferential edge of the main seal; onesupport piece placed above or below the main seal; wherein the onesupport piece is a front seal support comprised of two halves, each halfincludes one semi-circle to correspond to the circumference of one ofthe plurality of passages and another semi-circle to correspond to thecircumference of another one of the plurality of passages; wherein eachhalf has at least one projection extending out from one side of thefront seal support to the main seal for connecting the front sealsupport to the main seal; and wherein the main seal further comprises aplurality of apertures that are accessible from one side of the mainseal and an opposite side of the main seal to receive each projectionfrom the front seal support.
 8. A cord seal for use in an underwaterniche according to claim 7: further comprising a second support piecethat is a rear seal support; wherein the rear seal support is comprisedof two halves, each half includes one semi-circle to correspond to thecircumference of one of the plurality of passages and anothersemi-circle to correspond to the circumference of another one of theplurality of passages; wherein each half has at least one stub extendingout from one side of the rear seal support for connecting the front sealsupport to the main seal; wherein each half of the rear seal supportincludes a plurality of apertures to receive the projections from thefront seal support; wherein the plurality of apertures of the rear sealsupport are accessible from one side of the rear seal support and anopposite side of the rear seal support to receive each projection fromthe front seal support; and wherein the main seal further comprises atleast one cavity located on one side of the main seal to receive eachstub from the rear seal support.
 9. A cord seal for use in an underwaterniche according to claim 8, wherein: each half of the rear seal supportincludes a flange portion that has a radius slightly larger than eachhalf of the rear seal support to prevent over tightening by providing astop against an inner portion of the seal cap.
 10. A niche assemblycomprising: a niche in a wall that houses a lighting structure; whereinthe lighting structure is connected by an electrical conduit to a powersource located on the exterior of the niche; a main seal located betweenthe lighting structure and the electrical conduit to prevent water fromentering the electrical conduit and the exterior of the niche; whereinthe main seal includes a plurality of passages that are accessible fromone side of the main seal and an opposite side of the main seal; whereinthe main seal includes one split; a seal cap is placed in physicalcontact with the opposite side of the main seal; a cord routed thoughthe exterior of the niche in the electrical conduit, through the mainseal, and into the interior of the niche; wherein the cord is routedthrough the main seal by spreading apart the main seal at the locationof a first split in the main seal; wherein the main seal is deformablein response to the physical contact of the seal cap to provide awater-tight seal; wherein the one split spans from the one side of themain seal to the opposite side of the main seal and the one split beginsat an edge of one of the plurality of passages and ends at an outercircumferential edge of the main seal; and wherein the main seal furthercomprises a second split that spans from the one side of the main sealto the opposite side of the main seal and the second split begins at anedge of another one of the plurality of passages and ends at an outercircumferential edge of the main seal; one support piece placed above orbelow the main seal; wherein the one support piece is a front sealsupport comprised of two halves, each half includes one semi-circle tocorrespond to the circumference of one of the plurality of passages andanother semi-circle to correspond to the circumference of another one ofthe plurality of passages; wherein each half has at least one projectionextending out from one side of the front seal support to the main sealfor connecting the front seal support to the main seal; and wherein themain seal further comprises a plurality of apertures that are accessiblefrom one side of the main seal and an opposite side of the main seal toreceive each projection from the front seal support.
 11. A nicheassembly according to claim 10, further comprising a second supportpiece that is a rear seal support; wherein the rear seal support iscomprised of two halves, each half includes one semi-circle tocorrespond to the circumference of one of the plurality of passages andanother semi-circle to correspond to the circumference of another one ofthe plurality of passages; wherein each half has at least one stubextending out from one side of the rear seal support for connecting thefront seal support to the main seal; wherein each half of the rear sealsupport includes a plurality of apertures to receive the projectionsfrom the front seal support; wherein the plurality of apertures of therear seal support are accessible from one side of the rear seal supportand an opposite side of the rear seal support to receive each projectionfrom the front seal support; and wherein the main seal further comprisesat least one cavity located on one side of the main seal to receive eachstub from the rear seal support.
 12. A niche assembly according to claim11, wherein: each half of the rear seal support includes a flangeportion that has a radius slightly larger than each half of the rearseal support to prevent over tightening by providing a stop against aninner portion of the seal cap.
 13. A niche assembly according to claim10, further comprising: a cylindrical seal inserted into one of theplurality of passages; wherein the cylindrical seal comprises a sealbody and a stop portion located at each end of the seal body; andwherein the stop portion has a larger diameter than the seal body.
 14. Aniche assembly according to claim 13, wherein: the stop portion on oneend of the seal body contacts one side of the front seal support and theother stop portion on the other end of the seal body contacts one sideof the rear seal support.
 15. A niche assembly according to claim 10wherein: a grounding wire is inserted into one of the plurality ofpassages and the grounding wire is connected to a bonding lug in theinterior of the niche.
 16. A niche assembly according to claim 15wherein: the grounding wire connects to the bonding lug in the interiorof the niche by the use of a sealant.
 17. A niche assembly according toclaim 10: wherein the main seal is circular in shape and has an overalldiameter and thickness to fit a standard sized hub for an underwaterniche in a pool.
 18. A niche assembly according to claim 10: wherein themain seal is made from a deformable rubber.
 19. A method for installinga cord seal in an underwater niche, the method comprising: routing acord inside a niche through a seal cap and an electrical conduit;pulling the required length of the cord through the niche; inserting acord into a passage of a main seal by spreading apart the main seal atthe location of a first split in the main seal; sliding a cord sealcontaining the main seal down into the niche and inserting the cord sealinto a threaded hub in the niche; and connecting a seal cap to the mainseal.
 20. A method for installing a cord seal in an underwater niche inaccordance with claim 19, further comprising the step of inserting acylindrical seal into a second passage of the main seal by spreadingapart the main seal at the location of a second split in the main seal.21. A method for installing a cord seal in an underwater niche inaccordance with claim 19, further comprising: inserting a grounding wireinto a second passage of the main seal by spreading apart the main sealat the location of a second split in the main seal; pulling thegrounding wire through the niche but leaving enough slack to connect thegrounding wire to a bonding lug; and connecting the grounding wire tothe bonding lug inside the niche by the use of a sealant.
 22. A methodfor removing an installed cord seal in an underwater niche comprising:removing a light assembly from the niche; cutting a cord that isconnected to an existing light; unscrewing a seal cap from the niche;pulling the cord to loosen a cord seal from the niche; using anextraction tool to pull on a plurality of fastening projectionsconnected to a main seal to spread apart the main seal to provide accessfor removing a cord; and removing the main seal from the cord and fromthe niche.
 23. A method for removing an installed cord seal in anunderwater niche according to claim 22, further comprising the step ofremoving a grounding wire from a passage in the main seal.
 24. A methodfor removing an installed cord seal in an underwater niche according toclaim 22, further comprising the steps of removing a cylindrical sealfrom a wire receiving passage in the main seal.